Amendment VI of the United States Constitution The Sixth Amendment became part of the Bill of Rights in 1791. This amendment gives the rights of the accused: a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, the location of the trial in the area where the crime took place, full notification of the charges, a confrontation with witnesses and counsel. By a due process clause in the Fourteenth Amendment it has been extended to state criminal proceedings.

The right to a speedy trial may be taken from a provision of Magna Carta. This right was interpreted by Coke. This provision is a safeguard to prevent oppressive imprisonment prior to trial and to limit the possibility of some disadvantage for the accused to defend himself. This right need not wait for indictment, information, or other formal charge but begins with actual arrest. This right is consistent with delays and depends on...